Yes. I think JV and A.Davis have similar strengths and ability to impact the game on the defensive end. I personally prefer to have that defensive anchor at the C position as opposed to PF, so that's a small advantage in JV's favor. I look forward to being able to compare these two players against common opponents next season.

the reason is he is too hard to market....his face on all the posters will frighten the children and attract hillbillies from the outskirts to come and see games. The last thing you want is people from Aylmer driving in for games

To me "Franchise Players" are Kobe, Lebron, Durant, Dwight, and had been Duncan. Can Jonas be an allstar sure, will he be a player described as being one of the best ever, I am not so sure on that. I am hoping for a Andrew Bogut/Brad Daugherty type player. Not really a franchise player, but one hell of a piece moving forward.

To me "Franchise Players" are Kobe, Lebron, Durant, Dwight, and had been Duncan. Can Jonas be an allstar sure, will he be a player described as being one of the best ever, I am not so sure on that. I am hoping for a Andrew Bogut/Brad Daugherty type player. Not really a franchise player, but one hell of a piece moving forward.

My "Yes" answer had less to do with the thread's title and more to do with the last line of tbihis' original message:

With all the accolades JV has gotten in Europe, and the hype that surrounds his NBA debut, do you think JV has the potential to be the Raps franchise player?

Do you think with JV as a cornerstone, the Raps can be a contender?

So, the last 3 NBA franchise centers have been Shaq, Yao, and Howard. Personally, I would also count Duncan but everyone calls him a PF, so he's out. I haven't seen enough of JV to say but the three guys above are/were so good that they distort the game. Your entire defense and offense needs to be adjusted to account for them. Not sure Valanciunas is that good.

A cornerstone? Sure, if you pair him up with a dynamic wing and surround them with shooters you've got the makings of a decent team.

I've had the chance to spend some time in Europe in the past few years and have gotten a chance to watch JV probably a lot more than people around here. I am convinced that this kid is the real deal. People sometimes forget the quality of players that are in Europe- Milos Teodosic, Andrei Kirilinko, Dimitris Diamanditis, Nikola Mirotic etc.. and for JV to put up the numbers he has been averaging and the accolades he has been winning among this competition (At the age of 19 is incredible!).

People are nervous with international big men I get it (Milicic, Aroujo) but neither have these guys numbers prior to the NBA come close to what JV is doing right now! With that said, YES Valenciunas is a real cornerstone for the Raptors moving forward. In 2-3 years, BC will look like a genious because JV will turn out to be the best player in last years draft. Valenciunas will hold the Interior, while Andrea will have more freedom to operate on the perimeter. This to me sounds like one of the best big man combinations in the NBA for the next decade or so.

As a side note, the Raptors front office should really keep an eye on Nikola Mirotic (only 21 years old) and what Chicago is doing with him. This guy is going to be the next big thing out of Europe (Nowtiski caliber). In a year or two this guy is going to be a stud at the 3 spot and I would urge BC to take a closer look and see if he could bring him over from Europe.

JV is tossed under the bus by multiple posters in here by the end of December 2012. Book it.

+1

No doubt.

The hype machine is churning and the expectations are growing. I feel sorry for the kid as the weight of the franchise is about to be heaped on him instead of excercisig some patience to see what they have first.

He will be an impact player ... A reason to stop whining about needing a starting C ... he'll rebound and play defence right out of the gate ... his offense will come along slower, over a few years.

If he stays healthy and hungry (which doesn't seem to be a problem), he will be in all-star discussions in 3-5 years ... and will be a valuable piece on a contender, if the lottery balls this year are lucky, and/or free agent/trade decisions over the coming 2-3 years are smart.

The only way to bag a classy lady is to give her two tickets to the gun show... and see if she likes the goods.